Mertesacker ready for final despite lack of game time

LONDON: Per Mertesacker has revealed he will go into Arsenal's FA Cup final against Doublechasing Chelsea without a single minute of reserve-team football following a serious knee injury.

And the German, picked because of a defensive injury crisis, is set to slot into a formation that he admits is entirely unfamiliar to him.

Mertesacker underwent knee reconstruction surgery last year and was not expected to play this season.

But he was thrust into action on the final day of the Premier League campaign, at home to Everton last Sunday, when Gabriel suffered a knee injury of his own at a time when Laurent Koscielny had already been shown the red card that means he is suspended for the final.

As a result, Mertesacker will arrive at Wembley having played just 37 minutes of first team football. And, strange though it sounds, no reserve-team action either.

"I didn't particularly ask for it," he said. "I thought when I got a game for the first team it was enough for me, that was my mindset.

"So before Sunday I didn't have a proper game, just training sessions. I thought I could compensate with my experience.

"It felt really good. I didn't feel like I missed something by playing another game. Even if I would have played two or three months ago it would not have made a difference."

Manager Arsene Wenger has switched from a traditional back four to a three-at-the-back arrangement with wingbacks in the German's absence. Mertesacker admitted the new system was alien to him.

"With a back three everyone starts from zero, including me -- I had never played in a back three, honestly," he said. - AFP